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Vijay Nallawala

Friday, 20 March 2015

A random collection of ministories

Began the project with a Mind Map,brought clarity to the central ideas Roped in a publisher designed the cover Toyed with namesfine tuned to fivesettled for oneWrote the first pagesA few Chapters emergeddoubts came up, I stagnatedThere was this interminable lulltapped my creativity reservoir againThe words now just began to flow..Yes, the last chapter was at last in place!Scanned through it, reediting it, adding to ita reputed editor will bring his craft to playWatching my baby come to life, stand up on its own The joy of being an author‬, the thrill of shaping my very first‪Book‬!

Compassion

Worried about her daughter's behaviour, a mother decided to consult a Psychologist.As she waited in the reception area for her turn to come, her eyes fell on a poster about what Autism was all about. Before she could get to learn more about it, a father with his twin sons, both special children, walked in.He was cheerfully conversing with them.Her mind had been preoccupied with her daughter's issue until then. She instinctively reached out to one of the small boys.A thought crossed her mind.Am I not much better off? She was suddenly reminded of her failings. Imagine the helplessness and pain of a parent who brings up a special child? If I would have been the mother, I would have cried each time the boy faltered or if someone made fun of him.I would have prayed to God, why my child?Imagine the plight of a mother of a stillborn baby?Her eyes moist, she quietly walked out of the clinic without meeting the Doc. On reaching home, the first thing she did was hug her daughter and she wept.

Humour

Offering a rose to my niece, I said,"Will you be my Valentine, pretty lady?""Valentine!! That's so passe! Don't you know what the buzz is about? Today is Friday the 13th and it's all the more special this time around~ do you know that Friday 13's have fallen in consecutive months after 123 years!!'"Now where on Earth did you dig that one out from?""Just made it up. For dramatic effect. Am so excited about our party! Hey, could you just come up with a theme for it?""Hmmm, lemme see, The Hunger Games 13th~Apocalypse?""Yep! That's brilliant, actually! I could go dressed as Katniss Averdeen! Yippee!"Pretending to be jealous, I asked her, "BTW, who's gonna be your Peeta?""I've reserved Peeta for V. Day!" She gushed.These girls, I sighed.

Wifey was coughing in the morning and she said to me, "I think that I have Swine flu""Darling you have broken your promises so many times before that I cannot count on you anymore. Anycase, it better not be Swine Flu."Smiling, she said "I know you care for me! You just pull my leg.""Nothing of that sort, dear. Swine Flu is highly contagious. Think of something that does not take me with you."

I called up my niece yesterday evening."Happy Birthday! Where's the celebration?""Oh thank you, join us, we are at Oberoi Mall.""Uh Huh. I remember someone having told me that she could not party because she'd be studying late into the night.."My niece giggled "Don't be so nasty. It was all decided at the last minute by friends to surprise me. Please do join us!""Hey, I don't want to spoil all your fun...I know you must be saying,'why did I let out the party bit to him!' ""No, no! I am serious!""You are not allowed to be serious on your Birthday, no way.And I am serious about that."We both laughed at that and that was that

We were discussing something in the morning and wifey was adamant about her point of view.I said smugly, 'l give in as l usually do. But there's also something you'd have to admit where I am always right.''And what would that be?' asked my wife indignantly'That the wife is always right!!'Wifey's turn to be smug.'At last you are enlightened. Forgive them who know not what they do.'

Mindfulness

The allure of the rose ahead of meTook a stride and bent down to be near itClosed my eyes and took in its fragranceVery gently caressed its petalsTook a step back, could not stop admiring itPluck it, I dared not, am not that cruel.Wouldn't that mean being ungrateful to nature,which has blessed me with bountiful treasures?

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

As I had promised my grand daughter, Sheila, we were headed to the Zoo in Goregaon, Mumbai. She was quite excited, as any twelve year old would have been. As we drove down the six lane road, I saw vehicles zipping by on the East-West Freeway which shot past overhead. Signs that this was the year 2026 and not the decade before it. The morning grey haze refused to brighten as the day progressed.

"You know, Sheila, when you were a baby, this place used to be a verdant green area~ all 3160 Acres of it! It used to be even called 'the lungs of Mumbai' and rightly so. We used to visit this place ever so often and we have fond memories of it...going for long walks, the boating at the lake, all those film shootings because of the scenic landscape and the fun of a picnic there on a Sunday. We often brought your mother here to play when she was a child."

"Where's all that gone?" Sheila asked in bewilderment "I can't see any sign of it."

"Can you see those tall buildings? That used to be 'Chota Kashmir', one of Suburban Mumbai's most loved picnic spots. The pictures I had taken will give you an idea how beautiful it was. The flora and fauna there was its highlight. Remind me to show you the pics when we reach home. As we drove, I pointed out to the right. You see the huge parking lot and sprawling food court? That's where the lake was" I sighed with nostalgia in my voice.

"None of this was there at all. The Metro shed, Freeway, Business district, Residential buildings for rehabilitation projects and of course, the Zoo, where we are now headed. It was a massacre of the green vista~ the few trees which were spared withered due to the rising pollution. As for the birds and wildlife... "

"Wait a minute. Did none of the people in the area object to plans so insensitive to ecology? Did you not protest? And what about you, specifically, you, grandpa? You are so vocal about issues that are close to your heart. Your voice could have made a difference. Couldn't you have spoken on behalf of the trees who can't speak? What did you do to stop this massacre?"

I could not look her in her eyes. Innocent but determined eyes."I was occupied in other causes at that time. I admit I could have done better."

"Your 'better' is not good enough now, is it? I can tell you this for sure. If I were in your place I would have fought tooth and nail to preserve nature's gift for the generations to follow me."Shiela seemed really upset. "Let's turn around, grandpa. I am in no mood to go to the Zoo anymore."

P.S.What was this all about? To readers outside Mumbai and India, here's a newspaper report about the proposed destruction by the civic authority.

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Vijay Nallawala

WRITERS ARE WIRED DIFFERENTLY - AM NO DIFFERENT IN THAT RESPECT!

Began assisting my Uncle in our S.M.E in Vasai, a Mumbai suburb, in the 1980's. The seven years spent under his mentoring were a priceless learning! 1989 saw the birth of my own enterprise, Frontline Communications. We were among the pioneers in high-end Projection Equipment rentals. Handled prestigious events for Microsoft, Amway and Art of Living. Excellence, commitment and creativity that wowed our clients separated us from the rest.

Bipolar Disorder struck a decade ago, played spoil sport for a long time, with an obvious impact on my career, too. Eventually, my indomitable spirit won. Took up a career in Financial Advisory services in 2004. My emphasis was on client-centric advice, transparency and professional ethics.

Why did l take to Writing then? Have always been a creative soul and writing comes to me naturally. Words just flow.. I began Blogging in 2012. The encouraging response from my global audience has ensured I've not looked back since then. I write on spirituality, healing, personal development besides poetry. Blogging gave wings to my creative self and has helped me discover myself.My own battle against Bipolar inspired me to reach out. Have pioneered an online community for Bipolar Disorder (much needed in the Indian context). My first Book, which is about my Bipolar recovery journey, is slated to be published by end of 2014.Music, reading, yoga, nature, spirituality and helping others are close to my heart.Come join me in my journey, let us connect and grow together.